Our Teachers

Bill Jones Music - Knoxville Teaching Staff

Abby Fisher is a percussionist focused on performing, educating, and supporting continued growth of new music, and has expertise in contemporary, classical, and African (Ewe) percussion. Abby was the Visiting Lecturer in Percussion at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville (Fall 2017), she is Director of Operations for Nief-Norf Contemporary Chamber Music Organization and Summer Music Festival (Knoxville, TN), and […]

Kimberly Simpkins, a native of Fayetteville, NC, began her studies on violin in the Cumberland County (NC) Schools, graduating from Westover High School. As a student, she was a member of the Fayetteville Symphony, Cumberland County Youth Orchestra, and All-State orchestras where she received top honors, including Concertmistress. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin […]

Ruth Jackson is a graduate of Anderson University in South Carolina. Originally from Texas, Ruth began studying piano at the age of 6 and attended Tyler Junior College for two years before transferring to Anderson University. She holds a Bachelors in Piano Performance and has studied under Mr. Charles Praytor and Dr. Howard Kim. She […]

Timothy Strawn is a graduate of Anderson University in South Carolina. He studied percussion under Mr. Daniel Kirkpatrick, the principle timpanist for the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and received a Bachelors in Music Education from the University. Timothy participated in several ensembles while attending university, including wind symphony, percussion ensemble, concert choir, West African drum and dance ensemble, […]

Cole has over 10 years of experience playing and teaching guitar in a variety of capacities. He has always loved engaging with youth, working as a counselor and leader of worship at nearby Camp Arrowwood during his high school years. Currently, he serves as Worship Leader at Middlebrook Pike UMC and is a member of […]

Penka learned the violin in her early childhood, while growing up in Bulgaria. By learning using Solfege, she has developed perfect pitch and continues to reinforce her students using this strong ear training method. Her passion for the violin (strings) is demonstrated in her lessons as she focuses her students to develop correct technique and […]

Megan Kabela is an active musician who has recently relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee. Recognized as an accomplished and versatile harpist, she performs in a variety of different styles and venues. Megan started her musical training at the age of 10 on the piano. After mastering the basics of piano and starting violin lessons, she decided […]

A native of East Tennessee, Rondo has been playing guitar for over 15 years. He attended Pellissippi State Community College to major in guitar, earning music scholarships as a member of both the bluegrass and jazz ensembles. During this time, he studied guitar with David Slack, Chad Volkers, and Larry Vincent. In addition to guitar, […]

Sarah Lepp’s performances are infused with an emotional depth and honesty that engages diverse audiences. Sarah loves performing and finds meaning in being able to share her many life experiences with others through music. She has studied under Gregory Allen, Sharon Jensen, Betty Mallard, and Jose Mendez and holds both a Master of Music and Bachelor of Music […]

Katrina was born and raised in the small community of Corryton in East Tennessee. After receiving an Associate of Fine Arts degree from Pellissippi State Community College, she began her work towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in music at The University of Tennessee. While there, she studied piano with Ms. Fay Adams and Dr. […]

Hello! Please, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Joseph Falconer. I am a cello and violin teacher at Bill Jones Music. I began playing violin when I was 6 and picked up the cello at 14. I learned through the Suzuki Method of string playing, and now I’m a registered Suzuki Method teacher […]

Jason Day has been passionately performing and teaching music for over 16 years. In 1995, he attended Roane State Community College on a guitar scholarship and in his 2nd year, made the move to piano under the guidance of Wendel Werner. He graduated in piano performance and was given Roane State’s Outstanding Musician Award. In […]

Kristen is a passionate musician who enjoys using her talents to help others develop their musical potential. A recent college graduate, Kristen earned a Bachelor’s of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor’s of Science in English from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Along with her piano studies, Kristen has continued to […]

Katie, a 2006 graduate of Mississippi College, holds her Bachelor of Arts in Music and her minor in studio Art. While at Mississippi College, she held multiple leadership roles within her music department, as well as receiving university wide recognition for her leadership skills, receiving the “Freshman Woman of the Year” award and being one […]

Charlyna is a graduate of Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal/Piano Performance. She is currently working on a graduate degree at University of Tennessee (Knoxville) pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy where she was recently awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship. Charlyna has been teaching private lessons […]

Christine Tai is a native of Taiwan who grew up in Hong Kong. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Pomona College, Claremont, CA, and a Master of Music in Piano Performance & Pedagogy from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Her previous teaching positions include piano faculty at the Piano Academy […]

Barbara is a native Knoxvillian who has been teaching piano and voice for over 36 years in both Tennessee and Texas. She received the Dean’s award and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. degree in Music Education from East Tennessee State University. While participating heavily in the college opera workshop, Ms. Nichols was a soloist […]

Kathryn graduated with a Masters in Music, vocal performance degree from the University of North Texas. Currently, Kathryn teaches voice at Lincoln Memorial University, is the Artistic and General Director for Marble City Opera, a soloist at Cokesbury United Methodist, and an opera singer.

Bill Jones Music - Chattanooga Teaching Staff

Mr. Larry Otto holds a Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Missouri. He has been a music professor and university music department chairman as well as choral conductor, voice and conducting teacher. He is a singer who also plays piano, organ, and tuba. He not only manages Bill Jones Music but continues to teach keyboard classes in […]

Ben Michaels teaches our late evening guitar (5:30 and later) lessons. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Guitar Performance from Tennessee Wesleyan University. He has played for various events throughout south eastern Tennessee and good at teaching a variety of styles to both beginners and experienced players.

Our percussion teacher is Amanda De Zee. If it is something in the percussion section of the band or orchestra Amanda can not only play it but can teach it. Whether it is a drum set or a xylophone, you can learn to play it from Amanda. She holds a Masters degree in Music from […]

Sally Chandler teaches both Piano and Violin. She has a degree in Music Education and a Masters degree from Florida State University. She is competent and experienced in teaching both children and adults. She loves to see her students excel and is full of encouragement for every one of them. She is a member of […]

Heather Anderson is a recent graduate of the Eastman School Of Music in Rochester, NY. Her primary instrument is cello and she has performed extensively with orchestras and chamber groups across the US and Canada, and has been a frequent substitute with the Chattanooga Symphony. She has studied with many well known teachers including Thomas Rosenburg, David Ying and the […]

David Walrod is a pianist, singer, songwriter, and music producer based out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a musician who prioritizes versatility of style, his experience has led him to perform in classical, chamber, jazz, Latin, soul, alternative, rock, funk, and church music settings. He has studied with internationally recognized pianists Cahill Smith (DMA, Eastman School of Music, Yamaha […]